Three way dance time! – The Halloween Edition.

First Happy Halloween to those like the holiday as is: FUN! Also it’s the weekend to celebrate All the Saints that has gone before us, Dia de los Muertos, and also to set our clocks back an hour plus changing our batteries in our smoke detectors. Plus, It’s harvest time!

Ok, Wisconsin: we got a few days before the November 4th Election of Scott Walker and Mary Burke. According to the latest MU Poll via their website:

MILWAUKEE – A new Marquette Law School Poll finds Republican Gov. Scott Walker leading Democratic challenger Mary Burke 50 percent to 43 percent among likely voters in the Wisconsin governor’s race. Another 3 percent say that they are undecided or that they do not know whom they will support, while 1 percent say that they will vote for someone else. Likely voters are those who say that they are certain to vote in the November election.

Among registered voters in the poll, Walker receives 46 percent and Burke 45 percent, with 4 percent undecided and 1 percent saying that they will vote for someone else.

The poll interviewed 1,409 registered voters, including 1,164 likely voters, by landline and cell phone Oct. 23-26. For the full sample of 1,409 registered voters, the margin of error is +/- 2.7 percentage points. The margin of error for the sample of 1,164 likely voters is +/- 3.0 percentage points. This is the final Marquette Law School Poll before the Nov. 4 election.

The previous Marquette Law School Poll, conducted Oct. 9-12, found the race tied among likely voters, with the candidates holding 47 percent each, while 48 percent of registered voters supported Walker to Burke’s 45 percent support.

I’m going to say that even though Walker has a “preleminary so-called” lead, Burke can still catch up and take a lead going into Election Day. Also from the website in regarding turnout:

Turnout differences“Shifting turnout intentions have provided most of the dynamics of the race this fall,” said Marquette Law School Poll director Charles Franklin. “While the results among all registered voters have varied between a tie and a 3-point Walker edge, the likely-voter results have ranged from a 2-point Burke advantage to the current 7-point Walker lead.”

In the current poll, 93 percent of Republicans say that they are certain to vote, while 82 percent of Democrats and 75 percent of independents say the same. Two weeks ago 82 percent of Republicans, and 80 percent of both Democrats and independents, said that they were certain to vote. By comparison, in the final Marquette Law School Poll before the 2012 gubernatorial recall election, 92 percent of Republicans, 77 percent of Democrats and 84 percent of independents said that they were certain to vote.

In August, 82 percent of Democrats said they were certain to vote while 77 percent of Republicans said so. In early September this reversed, with 80 percent of Republicans and 73 percent of Democrats saying they were certain to vote. Late in September, 80 percent of Republicans and 77 percent of Democrats said they were certain to vote. Independent intentions held steady in August and September between 67 and 69 percent.

Thirteen percent of registered voters said they had already voted either by absentee or in-person early voting, including 11 percent of Republicans, 16 percent of Democrats and 12 percent of independents.

The keyword in all of this: Turnout. That is the momentum going into this election. Many of you probably have early voted which ends today, and hopefully that might be an extra momentum going into November 4th. Even though that Walker has that “preliminary” edge which many dont agree, that might change for the Burke crew, if many turn out at the polls! And this includes voters that you need to drag out of bed or the clubs, etc.

Second Dance: Voter Intimidation.

I want to address this because I feel that it’s an important concern. Listening to the radio today, via WNOV of course, there was talk about those feeling intimidated and about a thought that Scott Walker wants those to stay at home so he can take the votes up for another four years. That to me ts a scare tactic and has no place for this. Everyone IN Wisconsin, not the usual 50% per say needs to come out and vote. There were talks about Scott Walker’s new politics might effect those getting public assistance of Unemployment Benefits might have those to take a urine test before getting that extra change per say. And many others that does require urine! Speaking of intimidation in all, why do folks from the 262 area had to text into a radio segment in all, had to be all explicit of that notion?

I GET IT!

They are scared. The same folks who probably got even more scared that President Obama this week was coming to Milwaukee to stump for Mary Burke, but the area the President was visiting making the stump was North Division High School. He came to the Hood! The same HOOD that got him 99% of the votes during his re-election. And I’ll bet the Conservatives were just shaking in their boots! Again, I want ALL Wisconsinites who feel that indimiation will play a factor in this election in favor of Scott Walker getting a term out of fear, don’t EVER let that get to you! Just like the milita folks who want all those who feel that the democratic voters in the black community need to be “on watch” in all. And also, if there is informaiton that seems to be strange that someone gave out without checking the real facts, they need to get checked! Research the real stories through the GAB, City of Milwaukee, State of Wisconsin for the real sources.

Those who do intimidation are doing nothing but hating themselves and hating the fact there are those who feel staying home is the best move and not vote.

So when November 4th comes between 7am – 8pm: Don’t let NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE scare you in not voting! Represent!

Final thing on the card: Halloween!

I want to address those who are christians. I’m one too. Yes, the holiday of Halloween is upon us. And many that you know are out Trick-or-Treating, having Costume Parties at the clubs or homes, telling ghost stories, or watching Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Or Blade, or any other show that is dedicated to the spriit and FUN of Halloween. Or Halloween related. One of my firends on Facebook posted a question about the folks who are brothers and sisters in Christ, asked is it OK for Christitans to have a Halloween Party, or trick-or-treating and many others. Most on the page said no, due to Halloween to be all evil and etc. Since I am a member of the United Methodist Church, I came across of this question online:

Does The United Methodist Church have a position about Halloween?

Simple question right?

From the website it clearly states via the commentary as follows:

The United Methodist Church does not have an official statement or position regarding Halloween. Church members are free to make their own decisions about participating in Halloween activities.

When I thought about this question, I had to go into the think tank about my Halloween Parties from my chruch back in the day. Mainly when I was growing up. Am I not the only one had been to church Halloween parties in the past? I know I’m not the only one! Back in my day, there was bobbing for apples, hit the piata or in this case hit the pumpkins above so the candy can fall out. We had food and punch, races, face paints, and even a “haunted house”. Plus musical chairs, one of my living uncles and older cousins played old school hip hop and pop music way back before Ariana Grande or Chris Brown was heard of. We’re talking like mid 80’s here. And I was in elementary school and Michael Jackson was in his Thriller era. And it was fun! Even in costumes it was so fun to enjoy! Of course my church had “hallelujah parties” in between after church years later, but the idea of having a Halloween Party was just that: FUN!

So for my Christian Brothers and Sisters who are in this so-called struggle of Halloween, I get it. It’s all evil in between. But no one, and I feel that no one in the church doesn’t talk about the good side of Halloween as in having fun without any drama! I challenge all Christian Churches to have at least once a year, Halloween Parties or Halloween harvest parties. Yes you can do this! Especially those in the black churches! Don’t just think about the negatives of it, do the positives.

So with that: I’ll quote the late Edgar Allen Poe: “Suddenly, I heard a tapping, as is someone is gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door………..”

Plus also, if I’m not mistaken, Christianity has some ties with Halloween in some sorts. Very true I might add. Via the source of Wikipedia that needs attention:

Today’s Halloween customs are also thought to have been influenced by Christian dogma and practices derived from it. Halloween falls on the evening before theChristian holy days of All Hallows’ Day (also known as All Saints’ or Hallowmas) on 1 November and All Souls’ Day on 2 November, thus giving the holiday on 31 October the full name of All Hallows’ Eve (meaning the evening before All Hallows’ Day).[63] Since the time of the primitive Church,[64]major feasts in the Christian Church (such asChristmas, Easter and Pentecost) had vigils which began the night before, as did the feast of All Hallows’.[65] These three days are collectively referred to as Allhallowtideand are a time for honoring the saints and praying for the recently departed souls who have yet to reach Heaven. All Saints was introduced in the year 609, but was originally celebrated on 13 May.[66] In 835, it was switched to 1 November (the same date as Samhain) at the behest of Pope Gregory IV.[66] Some suggest this was due to Celtic influence, while others suggest it was a Germanic idea.[66] It is also suggested that the change was made on the “practical grounds that Rome in summer could not accommodate the great number of pilgrims who flocked to it”, and perhaps because of public health considerations regarding Roman Fever – a disease that claimed a number of lives during the sultry summers of the region.[67]

On All Hallows’ Eve, Christians in some parts of the world visit graveyards to pray and place flowers and candles on the graves of their loved ones.[68]

By the end of the 12th century they had become holy days of obligation across Europe and involved such traditions as ringingchurch bells for the souls in purgatory. In addition, “it was customary for criers dressed in black to parade the streets, ringing a bell of mournful sound and calling on all good Christians to remember the poor souls.”[69] “Souling”, the custom of baking and sharing soul cakes for all christened souls,[70] has been suggested as the origin of trick-or-treating.[71] The custom dates back at least as far as the 15th century[72] and was found in parts of England, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Italy.[53] Groups of poor people, often children, would go door-to-door during Allhallowtide, collecting soul cakes, in exchange for praying for the dead, especially the souls of the givers’ friends and relatives.[73][74][72]Shakespeare mentions the practice in his comedyThe Two Gentlemen of Verona (1593).[75] The custom of wearing costumes has been explicated by Prince Sorie Conteh, who wrote: “It was traditionally believed that the souls of the departed wandered the earth until All Saints’ Day, and All Hallows’ Eve provided one last chance for the dead to gain vengeance on their enemies before moving to the next world. In order to avoid being recognized by any soul that might be seeking such vengeance, people would don masks or costumes to disguise their identities”.[76] In the Middle Ages, churches displayed the relics of martyred saints and those parishes that were too poor to have relics let parishioners dress up as the saints instead,[77] a practice that some Christians continue in Halloween celebrations today.[78] folklorist Kingsley Palmer, in addition to others, has suggested that the carved jack-o’-lantern, a popular symbol of Halloween, originally represented the souls of the dead.[79][1] On Halloween, in medieval Europe, “fires [were] lit to guide these souls on their way and deflect them from haunting honest Christian folk.”[80] In addition, households inAustria, England, Ireland often had “candles burning in every room to guide the souls back to visit their earthly homes”. These were known as “soul lights”.[81][82][83] Many Christians in continental Europe, especially in France, acknowledged “a belief that once a year, on Hallowe’en, the dead of the churchyards rose for one wild, hideous carnival,” known as the danse macabre, which has been commonly depicted in church decoration, especially on the walls of cathedrals, monasteries, and cemeteries.[84]Christopher Allmand and Rosamond McKitterick write in The New Cambridge Medieval History that “Christians were moved by the sight of the Infant Jesus playing on his mother’s knee; their hearts were touched by the Pietà; and patron saints reassured them by their presence. But, all the while, the danse macabre urged them not to forget the end of all earthly things.”[85] This danse macabre, which was enacted by “Christian village children [who] celebrated the vigil of All Saints” in the 16th Century, has been suggested as the predecessor of modern day costume parties on this same day.[86][87]

In parts of Britain, these customs came under attack during the Reformation as some Protestants berated purgatory as a “popish” doctrine incompatible with the notion of predestination. Thus, for someNonconformist Protestants, the theology of All Hallows’ Eve was redefined; without the doctrine of purgatory, “the returning souls cannot be journeying from Purgatory on their way to Heaven, as Catholics frequently believe and assert. Instead, the so-called ghosts are thought to be in actuality evil spirits. As such they are threatening.”[82] Other Protestants maintained belief in an intermediate state, known as Hades (Bosom of Abraham),[88] and continued to observe the original customs, especially souling, candlelitprocessions and the ringing of church bells in memory of the dead.[89][63] With regard to the evil spirits, on Halloween, “barns and homes were blessed to protect people and livestock from the effect of witches, who were believed to accompany the malignant spirits as they traveled the earth.”[80] In the 19th century, in some rural parts of England, families gathered on hills on the night of All Hallows’ Eve. One held a bunch of burning straw on a pitchfork while the rest knelt around him in a circle, praying for the souls of relatives and friends until the flames went out. This was known as teen’lay, derived either from the Old English tendan (meaning to kindle) or a word related to Old Irish tenlach (meaning hearth).[90] The rising popularity of Guy Fawkes Night (5 November) from 1605 onward, saw many Halloween traditions appropriated by that holiday instead, and Halloween’s popularity waned in Britain, with the noteworthy exception of Scotland.[91] There and in Ireland, they had been celebrating Samhain and Halloween since at least the early Middle Ages, and the Scottish kirk took a more pragmatic approach to Halloween, seeing it as important to the life cycle and rites of passage of communities and thus ensuring its survival in the country.[91]

In France, some Christian families, on the night of All Hallows’ Eve, prayed beside the graves of their loved ones, setting down dishes full of milk for them.[81] On Halloween, in Italy, some families left a large meal out for ghosts of their passed relatives, before they departed for church services.[92] In Spain, on this night, special pastries are baked, known as “bones of the holy” (Spanish: Huesos de Santo) and put them on the graves of the churchyard, a practice that continues to this day.[93]

So with that: and I mean this with love and peace: Happy Halloween to ALL!